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Objective

The Slamdance Screenplay Competition is dedicated to discovering and supporting emerging writing talent. We welcome screenplays in every genre, on any topic, from anywhere in the world. A unique feature of the competition is providing constructive feedback for every entrant. In addition to this, we also offer a more intensive coverage service for a supplementary fee. Now in our twentieth year, we have a history of highlighting talented, independent screenwriters and introducing them to the entertainment industry. All of our readers approach scripts differently, but in general we are looking for originality and promise in a work. As an organization, we strive to foster an independent spirit among new writers and filmmakers. We've established a strong track record through our competition successes and are committed to continuing our pursuit to champion outstanding new work.

Our competition consists of four categories. Awards are given to the top three scripts in each category. In addition to that, Slamdance will present the Grand Prize for the best screenplay, regardless of category.

Rules

Screenplays must not have been previously optioned, purchased or produced.

Screenplays must not have received awards from other competitions over $500.00 at the time of entry.

Screenwriters who have had previous feature screenplays produced and distributed by non-independent means are ineligible.

Screenplays must be in English, formatted in 12-point courier font.

Don't cheat in an effort to keep the page count to 120 or less. We will notice and ask that the extra fee be paid for screenplays in excess of 120 pages. As a standard rule, 1.5" left, 1" right and 1" top and bottom is a good one.

To enter the Slamdance Screenplay Competition you must agree to its Terms and Conditions.

The Slamdance Screenplay Competition Readers' decisions are final.

Teleplays must not have been previously optioned, purchased or produced.

Slamdance is not responsible for screenplays or coverage stolen or lost in transit

For screenplays longer than 120 pages, fifteen dollars is added to the regular entry fees.

Cover pages are optional. If you decide to use one, it would ideally include just a title, author name, WGA registration number and Copyright information.

Awards

A total of $13,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the winners this year.

The Grand Prize winner will receive $5,000 in cash.

The winners of the Feature, Horror, Original Teleplay and Short categories will receive $2,000 in cash, each.

The top three screenwriters in each category will receive prize packages that include Festival Passes good for all screenings and parties at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah (January 2016)

The top three screenwriters in the Feature and Horror category are eligible for membership in the Writers Guild of America's Independent Writers Caucus.

The winning Short/Webisode and winning Feature screenplays will receive $2,500 in legal services from Pierce Law Group, LLP.

The top three screenwriters in each category will receive merchandise from the Slamdance SHOP (T-shirts, beanies, etc.).

The top three screenwriters in each category will be included in the 2016 Slamdance Film Festival program which is distributed to industry professionals in Park City and year round.

Production companies, studios, top agencies and managers request to read our top scripts.

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Contest News

Slamdance Expands Screenplay Competition in 2004

The 9th Annual Slamdance Screenplay Competition has issued its official call for entries. The competition is riding high from the success of past competition winners Nicole Kassell and Stephen Fechter of "The Woodsman" and Joshua Marston of "Maria Full of Grace." Both screenplays were developed into feature films and competed at Sundance 2004, the latter winning the audience award for best narrative feature film. "Thank God for Slamdance. They found me a winner, and it's called The Woodsman," says Lee Daniels, producer of "Monster's Ball." "Slamdance has emerged as a platform to launch screenwriters like Nicole Kassell and Joshua Marston to greater heights. We are proud to have both the ability to get writers noticed and give newcomers greater insight by using our coverage service," says John Stoddard, Screenplay Competition Manager.

THE COMPETITION IS EXPANDING its coverage service to provide constructive written criticism to every competition participant, by our dedicated readers. The first deadline for the competition is April 19, 2004. Our Screenwriting Workshop Series begins April 17, 2004 and is all part of Slamdance's mission to help screenwriters improve their skills, and gain insight into how the film industry works. The Workshop Series is a weekend-long event that covers all the essential elements of great storytelling, and takes place in downtown Los Angeles at the Wilshire Grand Hotel & Centre, with speakers like Kevin DiNovis, writer/director of "Surrender Dorothy" and "Death & Texas."

SLAMDANCE ON STAGE is an expansion of the Slamdance Screenplay Competition's mission to support writers and help them get industry exposure. We are proud to present our top ten finalists from the 2003 competition in a series of staged readings put on by local theatre groups in the Hollywood area. The series begins March 1, 2004 with Alana Garrop's "Untitled Girl Guide Cookie Thriller" at The Coronet Theater and continues each Monday night at 8:00p.m., concluding April 26, 2004 with first place winner Miranda Kwok's "Song of Silence" presented by the Writer's Guild of America, west.

1st PLACE WINNER RECEIVES $3,000, 2nd place winner receives $1,000, and 3rd place winner receives $500. The top ten finalists of 2004 will find exposure to major literary agencies and film studios via our staged reading series. The 1st place reading will be held at the WGA in Los Angeles. The top ten also get 2005 all-inclusive festival passes for all Slamdance screenings, parties and events in Park City Utah, and screenwriting software. Each year over 50 production companies, studios, agencies and managers request to read our top scripts.

Slamdance began in January 1995 when a group of first-time directors screened their films as an alternative to the Sundance Film Festival. Our objective today is to recognize and supporting new filmmakers and screenwriters on an on-going basis.